Patrick Miller 18 Jan 2005

If you think the exposure from the use could generate business, maybe just insisting that proper credit be given to you on the geneology thing and the cards. If not....then it's time to talk moolah. :)

eileen martin 18 Jan 2005

thanks Patrick, i let the clyde library use my picture on thier website, and in return they put a link to my website here at AW. and yes it generated business, (for people to ask to "use" my pictures..lol.

Vivian Allen 18 Jan 2005

Eileen, This was a good thing to do as it will give you lots of exposure with your link on their site. I was asked if I could be payed a moderate amount to use my beatniks on a bongo site. I let them use it free and the link to my website gets me exposure and business. Vivian

Wade Harrison 18 Jan 2005

I HATE PEOPLE THAT THINK YOUR ART IS FREE !!!! But you know that might lead into some business. I say go for it!

RQ Trietsch 18 Jan 2005

Check both of them out. The city manager should be easy, and the other one might take a little bit more leg work, but if they are legit...let 'em have so long as you get the mention that the artist is you. At least with the city, you can write it off as a charitable contribution. Maybe both of them.

Pete Miller 18 Jan 2005

I think the Christmas card could work for you if you get credited on each card, maybe with your web address or something that might be descent exposure, the geneology thing will probably sit in a book for a single family to see and honestly I think if the person likes it she should pay for it.

eileen martin 18 Jan 2005

thanks everybody! the thing is i have already sold several of my 'clyde' pieces, is that fair to my paying clients to give away art to who ever asks? for a couple of years now i have given art as gifts to businesses etc, for promotion, now i am starting to sell, and i've got buyers, so i'm hesitate about giving it away.

wendy bandurski 18 Jan 2005

I sometimes do the same thing little logos etc i mean it can expose your art to many people who otherwise may not see it (eg i have lots of little kids running around with my logo on their soccer hats) and their parents suddenly wanted to see my art . . . each situation is different BUT all art is work so basically should be paid for on some level . . . great news though

Gordon Szczubelek 18 Jan 2005

Before you commit to a "freebie" to the city, ask if they are willing to pay for its usage. If they don't have funding for the art, then decide whether to donate the image. But make sure you at least get free christmas cards if you decide to give the city the "freebie"

Melissa Rinaldi 18 Jan 2005

I'd do it....I did flags/banners for my city, it was neat to drive by and see my work for 2 mths...and I got tickets, worth alot to cutural events AND MOST IMPORTANTLY in return I received paying jobs from......Still fave is driving by w/kids:) ...:)

Andrew Liberto 18 Jan 2005

I'm to the point where I don't give my art away for free unless it's for a good charity. It amazes me how many people think it's free and actually ask. That's generally when the price goes way up.

Plus, Eileen if you've already sold prints of the same image it doesn't seem right to me. The city could pay a small fee for the right to use the image and you retain copyright in order to keep selling prints.

As for the geneology deal, sometimes getting your name mentioned, or a link on a web site seems like payment enough. But, like you said it often leads to more of the same. Try telling the woman you'll do it at a "reduced fee" in exchange for some mention of your name. -best of both worlds.

18 Jan 2005

Jude 18 Jan 2005

Are they selling the cards as a fundraiser or are they using them for a city Christmas card to send out.

This is just a thought. We have a local artist in town that created her own series of Christmas cards and donates the cards to the church for fundraisers.

I would ask them to see the way the card is formatted, and request that a short bio/credit of the artist is either on the back side of the image or the back of the card. If they are doing a fundraiser and you donate the image then maybe they could do a story about your art donation, in the local paper.

terence ulrich 18 Jan 2005

Hey if they have a budget, they can pay. Simple as that. It's not some dude that lives down the street, althought if he's a friend you'll give him a freebie.

The city? The city collects property taxes that a hard working person can't afford to cough up.

Take a little back, you earned it!

eileen martin 19 Jan 2005

thank you everyone for your input, this helps me alot, and makes a lot of good points for me to think about. thanks:)

20 Jan 2005

eileen martin 20 Jan 2005

Thanks, John :)

Andrea Anderson 27 Jan 2005

You have received quite a bit of good advice. The only thing I would ad is that you make ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE that you make the best of the situation as far as promotion goes, if you are going to do it for free. Make sure that as much contact information is attached to the work displayed. For instance, I have a public registry of the artists that donate their work to my project and I will be making that information available each and every time that artwork is displayed so that they receive proper credit and can generate business from the contribution. If they don't offer you, at the very least, noted credit for your work, I would think twice before you lend your work.

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